NFP Facility Partnership
Philippines
The Partnership Agreement between the NFP Facility and the Philippines was signed in January 2004. The Partnership is focused on the use of Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) as a primary strategy for conservation and development. Under the Partnership, problems in the implementation of the CBFM programme at the field level, in the delivery of services at the institutional level, and in policy development and formulation of appropriate procedures at the programmatic level will be identified and solutions explored. The Partnership is meant to be carried out in three phases, including: (i) carrying out in-depth case studies of six selected CBFM areas leading to an overall assessment of CBFM; (ii) developing a new implementation strategy for CBFM; and (iii) strengthening the capacities of all the actors involved in CBFM implementation, including by enhancing the capabilities of the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in CBFM implementation.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Mr. Marlo Mendoza, Director of the Forest Management Bureau - NFP Focal Point
Mr. Marlo Mendoza, Director of the Forest Management Bureau ([email protected]) - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Ms. Remedios S. Evangelista, Chief of the Community-Based Forest Management Division, Forest Management Bureau ([email protected]) - NFP Facility Coach
Patrick Durst
01 Jan 2009
Assessment of the nfp
In order to assess the progress and status of the nfp process, the Facility and FAO have designed a matrix to provide a clearer picture of how the country nfp processing are evolving, which elements are well developed and which elements remain weak and in need of further attention. The matrix has been tested in the countries to ensure the relevance of its indicators.
The matrix contains indicators for each phase of the nfp process: analysis, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. The indicators are clustered according to the primary nfp principles: country ownership, inter- and intra-sectoral linkages, partnerships and participation.
The matrix below was completed by stakeholders, in a participatory way, during a national workshop.
Each indicator was rated as follows:
 | the indicator has not been developed |
 | the indicator is absent from the country nfp process |
 | the indicator exists but is incipient |
 | the indicator is progressing well within the country nfp process |
 | the indicator is completed to the country’s full satisfaction - can serve as a model for others to follow |
- Country leadership
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Forest sector review Forest information (in website and other depositories) freely available and accessible to all stakeholders Forestry outlook study Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Existence of an officially adopted and broadly accepted Forest Policy Statement Nfp coordination mechanism established Mechanisms for decentralised policy debate and feed back are in place Existence of national and sub-national forest development action plans Existence of a financial strategy for sustainable forestry development Existence of subject-specific strategies, e.g. to promote plantations, to combat illegal logging, to control forest fires, etc. Country participation in UNFF and other international or regional forest related meetings Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Recent review or reformulation of forest legislation Capacity building of stakeholders to implement nfp related activities (training programmes of FD, NGOs, private sector representatives, etc) Level of domestic (public and private) funding for national forestry programme related activities to promote sustainable forest management. Donor coordination mechanisms under the leadership of a national institution are in place. Recent institutional reform and/or modernization of forest related institutions and services Efforts to improve law compliance, governance and transparency in the sector Participation in networks, regional and international initiatives to promote sustainable forest management Evidence of contributions to the regional and international forest debate Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Regular data collection and assessment/review of forest development action plans National forest program evaluation reports Evidence that lessons learned are used to adjust/improve the process Regularly updated forest information available to support strategic planning of government and others Revised policies, nfp documents and action plan Country implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action regularly appraised - Inter and intra-sectoral linkages
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Analysis of the consistency of laws and legal prescriptions related to forestry Identification of traditional forest-related knowledge Compilation and analysis of policies, laws, regulations and strategic plans of other sectors that influence forestry Assessment of the role of forests in the national economy (including valuation of its contributions) and the linkages with central issues in other sector strategies Assessment of impact of other sectors on forestry sector development Identification of approaches for intra and inter-sectoral dialogue (working with Ministry of Local Government on Rural Development Project, others are Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Integrated Forest Plantations, etc.) Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Evidence that inconsistencies in the forest related policy and legal framework have been addressed Harmonization of forest policy with other sector policies and development plans Participation of the forest sector in other sectors’ strategic planning exercises Thematic working groups for policy related discussions Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Recognition of customary laws and traditional rights related to forestry Assessment of contributions of the forest sector to the economy, taking into account the multiple benefits of forest products and services Integration of forestry in national poverty reduction strategies and strategies Joint meetings with other sectors to promote integrated natural resources management (e.g. soil conservation / watershed management) Inter-ministerial or inter-institutional mechanisms to support nfp implementation are in place Coordination with country units/focal points responsible for implementation of international Conventions (CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, CITES, etc) Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Coordination of nfp monitoring mechanisms with other monitoring mechanisms of poverty reduction and similar development strategies Revision of nfp progress with all relevant stakeholders from within and outside the forest sector Harmonization of revised nfp documents with strategic planning of other sectors - Partnerships and participation
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Stakeholder analysis: identification of stakeholders, their importance/influence Training in use of participatory tools to promote stakeholder participation Existence of qualified staff to conduct participatory processes Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Mechanisms for stakeholder consultation and participation are established and functional The mechanism of the participatory process is well-known by all relevant stakeholder groups Stakeholders are sufficiently organized to participate in the nfp process. Evidence of participation of non-government stakeholders in the policy formulation process. Stakeholder consultation/meetings or fora to discuss forest policy objectives and priorities Evidence of stakeholder’ initiative to participate in the nfp process High percentage of stakeholders have access to relevant information Stakeholders informed and engaged in the commitments of the country participation in UNFF and other international and regional forest related meetings Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Clarification and definition of roles and responsibilities of forest administration and other stakeholders Existence of mechanisms for dialogue and joint decision making among forestry sector stakeholders Joint forest stakeholder activities (e.g. private-public partnerships) Capacity building of stakeholders in technical and managerial aspects Training in conflict management provided to stakeholders Gender equity issues addressed Public awareness campaigns and information initiatives are being developed. Government supports active participation and institutionalization of non-government stakeholders in national forestry program Existence of multi-sectoral development committees at local level Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Sharing of information on progress in nfp implementation among forestry stakeholders Procedures for stakeholder feedback instituted, e.g. stakeholder forum to discuss lessons learned and to review/adjust the nfp process Evaluation of stakeholder participation and satisfaction with the nfp process Awareness of nfp achievements by general public, including information dissemination and adoption of knowledge
Implemented Activities
- June 2011Increase awareness and appreciation among school children and youth of the forests’ importance and multi-benefits for achieving better understanding of sustainable forest management.
Yakap Kalikasan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Pilipinas - October 2008Support the strengthening of FMB's backstopping capacities in Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) implementation, and organizing, coordinating and monitoring the Facility-funded activities in the Philippines.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Forest Management Bureau - December 2005Developing a new National Strategic Plan for Community-Based Forest Management
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Forest Management Bureau - May 2004Formulating recommendations for minimizing impediments to Community-based Forest Management and developing an implementation strategy
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Forest Management Bureau - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Visayas, Philippines
University of the Philippines in the Visayas Foundation Inc. - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Luzon, Philippines
Tropical Resources for Environment and Economic Systems Incorporated - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Luzon, Philippines
Yakap Kalikasan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Pilipinas - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Mindanao, Philippines
Ateneo de Manila University, Institute of Philippines Culture - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Visayas, Philippines
De La Salle University, Social Development Research Center - February 2004Implementing a study on community-based forest management in Mindanao, Philippines
Sustainable Ecosystem Foundation Inc., Diliman